Introducing Firehat: An Open-Source FireWire DV Capture HAT for SBCs

Revolutionizing Video Capture

The Computer Equipment Group has unveiled the Firehat, an innovative open-source FireWire HAT designed to enhance single-board computers (SBCs) such as the Raspberry Pi 5 and Radxa ROCK 2F. This compact device integrates a native IEEE 1394 / i.LINK / DV port, allowing users to connect a range of camcorders including MiniDV, Digital8, DVCAM, DVCPRO, and HDV models.

Equipped with a VIA VT6315N controller, the Firehat facilitates the direct recording of digital DV streams to local storage, eliminating the need for outdated computers or obsolete FireWire capture cards. Key features include a 6-pin FireWire/i.LINK/DV input port, a PCIe 2.0 FFC connector for video, and a 1.3-inch monochrome OLED display for easy monitoring.

Source: CNX Software – Embedded Systems News (https://www.cnx-software.com/2026/08/25/firehat-open-source-firewire-dv-capture-hat-pcie-sbc-raspberry-pi-5-radxa-rock-2f/)